Increased Availability of Tax Resources and Information for Limited English Proficient and Visually Impaired Taxpayers Has Enhanced Assistance, but Additional Improvements Are Needed

The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should update the Schedule LEP instructions to clearly communicate to taxpayers when they may expect to begin receiving notices and letters in their preferred language.

The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should develop a process for taxpayers to update their language preference outside of filing a tax return.

The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should implement a procedure for translation specialists to ensure the accuracy of translated notices and letters prior to placing the program into production.

The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should implement a more centralized and structured approach that includes an assessment of factors including high-volume notices and letters issued to taxpayers to ensure that frequently issued notices and letters as well as those that have significant impact on the taxpayer are translated into Spanish.

The Commissioner, Wage and Investment, should increase outreach to IRS employees encouraging the use of Form 14162 to evaluate Over-the-Phone Interpreter (OPI) service provided to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) taxpayers.